Youth, Peace and Security: Finland's National Action Plan 2021–2024
The UN Security Council Resolution 2250 Youth, Peace and Security, adopted in 2015, and the subsequent Resolutions 2419 (2018) and 2535 (2020) recognise the positive and active role of youth in preventing and resolving conflicts, building peace, and preventing violent extremism. Member States must take the needs and perspectives of youth into consideration and encourage young people to take part in decision-making and all stages of peace processes.
Finland has prepared its first National Action Plan on the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution on Youth, Peace and Security in collaboration with active youth and representatives of youth organisations, central government, research institutes and civil society. The Action Plan specifies five priorities: participation; prevention; partnerships; protection; and disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration. The goals and actions apply to Finland's actions both at home and globally. The Action Plan's cross-cutting theme is intersectionality, while other important themes are climate change and new technologies.
The Action Plan will be implemented by different branches of government and civil society representatives. The implementation of the Action Plan will be followed by a monitoring group, which will submit a mid-term report and a final report to Parliament.